AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 4th Edition published in November 2003 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question I have been on a methadone program for 5 1/2 years. My urine is tested every month for drug abuse. With the exception of the very first urine test that I took to get me on the program, I have never, in 5 1/2 years, tested positive for anything. For the past 3 months I have tested positive for Benzo's. I swear to you that I have never taken any pills that were not perscribed for me. I don't know what to do. I was warned after the second positive that steps would be taken against me. I am not a stupid man. I would have certainly heeded the warning and stopped using the Benzo's, so as to not get in any trouble.
I cannot explain what has happened. I am under a psychiatrist care for depression, but the meds that she perscribes wouldn't show positive for Benzo's. So 5 1/2 years of a spotless record has been tarnished and I am in jeporady of being detoxed of of the program as a result of this. This Program has been my life saver. I had been on several programs all through the nineties and was detoxed of of everyone, or I went back to jail within a few months.
At any rate I made my mind up 5 1/2 years ago that I was going to make this program work. So I have done EVERYTHING asked of me. I am 51 years old now, and maybe I should get off the meth. and remove this ball and chain from around my neck. I just hate the fact that my counslor now thinks taht I am a lier and pill popper. I have alot of respect for her, she has been very helpful to me all during my time on the program. I am a little upset that she wouldn't have more faith in me. I guess that she is just doing her job, and has heard all the excuses before.
So, if you rule out a mistake made by the lab, which I find hard to believe that they would make the same error 3 months in a row, then your left with the facts that;
1)I'm a liar, and full of shit.
2)My body is someway, somehow producing a chemical that is causeing me to test positive.
3)Someone is drugging me.
#3 is a very strong possability, as my ex girl friend, who is the daughter of my sons grandmother, who my 14 year old son and I live with, live next door and comes over everyday. She would have access to my coffee mug everymorning. Her brother who lives with us is a life long drug abuser, and also has opportunity. They both would love to see me fail in my recovery. I have tried and tried to find out if my sons mother(my ex from 14 years ago) would have acces to some drug that would cause me to test positive for Benzo's if I were to ingest it. I've had no luck. Her Dr. would not tell me what she takes.
Anyway, I've tried to give you a quick summery of what I am dealing with. Can you PLEASE HELP!!! What do you suggest that I do.
Answer Dear Daniel
I appreciate your problem and like you think scenario number 3 is the only one possible from your history. False positives do occur but 3 months in a row?? You need help that is on the spot and I doubt I am the person to give that help. I would suggest you try to make sure you do not risk getting your drinks or food spiked with benzos by anyone. Try to get your counselor to believe you, but this could prove difficult due to your history.
I wish you well and hope you can solve this mystery.
